Convertible bed



3- J. D. BELL 2,326,196

CONVERTIBLE BED Filed Aug. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Slgeet 1 Z: zg. 1 7 7 M; 4424 37 g IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 10, 1943. J. D. BELL 2,326,196

CONVERTIBLE BED Filed Aug. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

pended.

V semi-reclining position;

- upholstery omitted;

. 7 While I have shown only th s atented Aug. it), 1943 UNITED STATESFA'EENT OFFICE? i2,326,19c I Q 1" CONVERTIBLE BED Joseph D. Bell, S311Francisco, "caiir. Application August 28,1940, Serial No. 354,467

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in a convertible bed, andits principal object is to provide a bed that may be readily convertedinto a chair, and also into a lounge, which expression is used toindicate a rest intermediate a bed and a chair. V

More particularly, it is proposed to provide a convertible bed of thecharacter described in which all the changes may be made withoutchanging the position of a rear supporting-member, which lattertherefor, may be placed close to ,a wall, without making it necessary tomove the device as a whole for eflecting any desired change. I i fit isfurther proposed to provide, in a [conventibie bed of the characterdescribed, an L- shaped frame whichhas run-ways lying on the floor toserve asa track for a portion of the structure, and which has a backadaptedto serve as a support for a mattress when arranged in bedposition, with a superstructure rising from the back to serve as a headpiece for the bed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a convertible bed that iseconomical of space, is decorative in appearance, makes the roomap} pearlarger whenmoved into seat or semi-reclining position, gives a fullerview of the rug, allows twin beds to be used, where ordinarily therewould only be room for. one bed, and in which all oper ating parts areconcealed. And finally it is proposed to provide a convertible bed thatmay be operated with'the greatest of ease, yielding to a slight touch ofthe human hand for effecting desired changes. Further objects andadvantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds andthe novel features of my new convertible bed will be fully pointed outin the claims-hereto ap- The preferred forms are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which: i

Figure '1 shows a side elevation of one form of my convertible bed inbed position; i

Figure 2, a side elevation of the same bed in Figure 3, a side elevationof the same bed in chair position;

Figure 4, a fragmentary perspective view of a rear edge portion ofmyconvertible bed, with the e preferred forms of my invention,I wish tohave it understood that various changes or modifications may be madewithin the scope of the claims hereto appended, without departing fromthe spirit of-my invention, i

Referring to the drawings in detail, and par.- ticularly to the formshown in the Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, my convertible bed 1 comprisesin its principal features, a supporting frame ,2, ,a mat tress 3 and anoperating mechanism whereby the mattress is supported with respect tothe frame with freedom of various adjustments to be described hereafter.V p H The frame 2, when viewed in side elevation, may be described asbeing L-shaped, and comprises two horizontal run-ways or wear plates 4,arranged in parallel relation to lie on the fioor surface, so as to forma track, 'and uprights 5 edge ll of the back member free to. serve as asupport for the mattress when the. latter, is in bedposition, asindicated in Figure 1. l The head piece in this position projects abovethe mattress and serves as a' means for holdin the pillow in-place, asin conventionalbed structure.

The mattress 3, which is intended to, be full length for bed size,thatis about six feet, is made in two sections i2 and i3 hingedtogether, asat M, and covered by a suitable upholstery 5 to form an absolutely fiatsleeping surface when the frame sections i2 and 63. are alined, as shownin Figure l; r l

The frame sec and preferably made of Wood, maybe swung on the hinge M,intoanyudesired angularity, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. V p

When in chair position, as indicated in Figure 3, the mattress 3 issupported by means ofa pair of legslfi projecting downwardly from thefront edge of the seat, and provided with large rollers ll adapted toroll on the floor surface in front of the run-ways .4. 1 V

In the same position, the rear section ofthe mattress is supported bymeans of twoypairs of links, indicated at [8 and l9. 'These two pairs oflinks are supported on horizontal pivots 20 and 2| carried by horizontalbrackets 22 secured to the rear ends of the run-ways and areattachedtions, however, which are rigid L 7 than the front legs l8;

, front legs by means of links 42.

and that they :run substantially parallel. r I When theback is pushedforward to the position of Figure 2 by means of a forward pusho-n t theupper'edge of the back, the rollers H roll forward, guiding the frontedge of the seat section, and the pivots and 25 at the upper ends of thelinks also move forward, at the same time carrying out a turningmovement about each other, which causes the links iii to partly crossthe links 68, as shown in Figure 2 and which places the springs 29 and38 under tension.

The rear portion of the seat of the mat-tress frame as provided withshort legs. 31 carrying rouerssz which strike'the run-ways when theposition of Figure -2 has been reached and thus serve to'support thehinge sections of the mat; tress-in the intermediate or loungingposition of Figural s It'will be noted that, during the movement offront legs are swung backward, the rear legs are swung forward, as shownin Figure 2, and when the front legs are swung forward into verticalposition,the rear legs are swung backwards into vertical position, asshown in Figure 1.

Since the legs 33 and'fit are longer than the legs Hi and 3:, the latterwill be lifted bodily with the seat section of the mattress, and theseat section itself will be raised so that its bottom is in the plane ofthe upper edge of the back nember 6, the legs 33 and 3G beingdimensioned to produce this efiect.

The hinge it, of course, riseswith the seat section, and causes the backsection to execute what the mattress from the chairposition of Figure 3j to the semi-inclined, or lounging, position of Bigu're '2, themattress advances considerably, while the L'-shaped frame retains itsposition.

The-back section of the mattress crosses the vertica1=planes passingthrough the pivots 2e and 21 while substantially retaining its upright.posidiom-but changes its angularity toward the end of-the m'oveme'nt,asishownin Figure 2. In this position, the mattress is fairly wellbalanced besection to register with the back member ii when it comes torest thereon, as indicated in l.

4 My convertiblebed is cperated asio'llows: s Beginning with theposition of Figure 3, to change to the position of Figure 2, it is onlynecessary to eigei t slight forward pressure on the upper end of theback. normally causes the parts to assume the position of Figure 2, thele s 16 riding forwardly and thelin ks it and i9 swinging forwardly, thelatter crossing the former, as indicate". The legs 3'! may either clearor lightly rest on thefrirn-wbays but are ready to support any weightadded by an'occupant-seating himself To move from the position of Figure2 to that of :Figure l, ;s light downward pressure is brought to bear onthe upper-end'o f the back section of V the mattress, which causes thepivots 2d and tween the front legs and the rear supports 24 a'ridfii'i,so thatrthe legs 3! rest very lightly oil the run-ways when. the chairis unoccupied. When weight is applied by an occupant, thelegs 31,ofcourse serveto'firmly support th rear edge of the'seat12. Y N

- But without weight, the mattress is ;so well balanced that a slightpressure on'the upper end of the back section inia downward directionwill raise the hinge, wanna. supporting legs 53 i, and cause :the two-m'a-ttress sections to assume, a position of approximate alinement,butwith aslig-ht general'upward slant from front to rear, since the twolinks it and l e furnish a highersupport If a person should'si-tdown-onthe mattress 'in that position, the'mattress-would automatically-fall backinto the posi- 'seat section, as shown at 3%,and are provided-with'a bell crank lever connection =3? having atransverse-connecting'rod '33, by meanseof which Etna-norm; legsmaybe-moved from theinolin'ed bositibn- 'of Figure 2 to the verticaliposition of rigor-ea; a. a

The horizontal rod 38 is preferably "formed with a crank or handle 6%for facilitatingfthe mampmaum i tl'l'erleofa The rear legs 34 are'pivplied to the r ear'end-of'thes'eat sectionby 0f cross-pins!"supported in the fixed legs 3%, thespins; also serving as supports forthe rollers i32,*and"they have: extensions-4| connected -to-the Thus,when the to executefifurt'her turning-movement about one another,;-andcauses Ethe legs E 6 to admnceslightly i-urthenwhiie the hinge it israised to bring the two mattress sectionsinto an approximate state ofalinen entin aninclihedplane. The operator now grips the handle 33 andpulls-upwardly, whereby the legs c dand are swung into vertioalposition, and-the seat is raised :into horizontal position, while theback moves into aline ment with the seatandeomes tol-rest,Y-at -its rearend, on the-back-me1nbe1'-.- t

Ji it is desired 'to change from the position 01 Figure 3 to that ofFigure 1 without .staying in theintermediate position, the 'alining ofthe two mattress sections may be carried outdna single movement byexenting forward ,pressure on the upper end of the back, followedby aslight downward pressure; FFhe operation is completed by raising thehandle in the manner previously described 7 I r I -For reversing thepei'ation, the handle "$53 :is depressed from the position of Figure 1'force]- lapsing the legs 43 3 and-3e and thepositions of Figure 2 andFigure 3 array be readily obtained by pushing backward on the frorztedge ef seat. r t

It should be observed, ipa'rticulari y by :reference to Figurefe, thatall theoperating partsnre confined within the outer margin of themattress frame, which latter corresponds =subst'aiitialiy to the outermargin of the supportingiiranie. 'Tnis snows the mattress to be "coveredwith *sheets and blankets "in the conventional manner, and allows theentire assembly to bec'cvered-"by'awed spread :pro'viue n "sides "andends completely 'enciesing the a atlhg mechanism "or "the "con"-vertible ted. fi'nrcmnmercrarus -the head piece 9 couldbe upholstered"and covereiwith mategive support to the hinge connection when the "rialmatching the bed-spread or interior decora+ tions. a 1 A My convertiblebed is intended forigeneral use in, alltypes of bedrooms indwellings,apart ment houses and hotels, but it is also particularly adapted foruse in auto camps and the so-called station wagon type of motor vehicleswhere it has been installed without requiring anymodification orinstallation expense. w

Iclaim: v1 I :1. In a-convertible bed, an L frame comprising ahorizontalwear, plate anda rear vertical member, a mattress framecomprising afront section and a rear section hinged together for movement between.bed and. chair positions,

end of the frame resting on the vertical mem-' ber. I 2. In aCOi'lV6lT'Gib18'b8d,y& frame comprising a horizontal wear plate, a backrest, means for sup porting the back rest over the wear, plate with 1freedom of movement from an'upright, position over the rearend of thewear plate to a sube' stantially upright positionover the front endofthe wear plate, and means cooperable withthe front end of the'wear platefor arrestingthe said movement, fthe back rest supporting means beingoperable to guide the back restfrom its advanced upright position intohorizontal position for use as a bed. o

3. In a convertible bed, an L frame comprising a horizontal wear plate,a rear vertical mem-' -ber and a head piece rising from the verticalmember and forming an off-set therewith, a

"mattress frame comprising a front section and a rear section hingedtogether for movement between bed and chair positions, means forsupporting the mattress frame over the wear plate with freedom ofmovement substantially in chair position from apoint adjacent the rearvertical member in a forward direction, and means cooperable with thefront end of the wear plate for arresting the forward movement ofthemattress frame, the mattress'frame supporting means be ing operableto guide the mattress from advanced chair position to bed position withthe rear end of the mattress frame resting on the offset and the endface up against the head piece.

4. In a convertible bed, an L frame comprising a horizontal track memberand a vertical head member, a mattress frame comprising two secs tions,one a back section and the other a seat section, hinged together withfreedom of movement between bed and chair positions, means forsupporting the mattress framein chair position comprising a leg forsupporting the front edge of the seat section and two pairs of linkscarried by the track member and supporting the back section in uprightposition adjacent the head member, the links being operable to guide theback section forward on an arc and in upright position to apredetermined point on the down grade of the arc, and to then rock thesame toward horizontal position, and arelativelyshort leg projectingfrom the rear edge of the seat section over the track so as to strikethe latter and back has reached said predetermined position.

-5.Ina convertible bed, an L-frame-comprising ahorizontal track, a rearvertical member and, a head piecerising from the vertical member andforming an ofi-settherewith, a mattress frame comprising two sections,one a back section and the other seat section, hinged together, withfreedom of movement between bed andchairpositions, means for supportingthe mattress frame in chair position comprising a 7 leg for supportingthe front edge of the seat section and two pairs of links carried by thetrack and supporting the back section in upright position adjacent thehead member, the'links be ing operable to guide the back-section forwardon an arc and in upright position toa predetermined point on,thedowngrade of the arc and to then rock the same toward horizontal position, and a relatively short leg; projecting: from the rear edge of theseat section over the track sofas to strike the latter and to givesupport to the hinge connection when the back has reached saidpredetermined point, the links bemg operable to position the rear endofthe mattress frame 'on the off-set with the rear face thereof upagainst the head piece. and'the latter being sufficiently high to form acushion-retaining abutment for the horizontal mattress frame.

6. In a convertible bed, an L-frame comprising a horizontal member and avertical head membar, a mattress frame comprising'two sections, oneaback section and the other a seat'section, hingedltogether with freedomof movement between bed and chair positions, means for sup- 7 portingthe mattress frame in chair position comprising a leg carried by theseat for supporting the front edge of the seat section and means carriedby the horizontal member forwardly of a the head member for supportingthe back sectermined point of advance and to then rock the back sectioninto approximately horizontal position with one end of the back sectionadjacent the head member and movable means carried by the seat sectionoperable to lift the seat into a position of alinement with thehorizontal back section.

'7. In a convertible bed, an L-frame comprising a horizontal member anda vertical head memher, a mattress frame comprising two sections,

one a back section and the other a seat section, hinged together withfreedom of movement between bed and chair positions, means forsupporting the mattress frame in chair position comprising a leg carriedby the seat for supporting the front edge of the seat section and meanscarried by the horizontal member substantially midway of the lengththereof for suv porting the back section adjacent the head member, thelatter means being operable to guide the mattress section forwardsubstantially in chair position to a point where the hinge islspacedfrom the head rest substantially bythe length of the back section and torock the back rest thereafter into approximately horizontal positionwith one end of the back section adjacent 'the head member, the latterhaving an off-set for supporting the free end of the back section in thelatter position and the seat havingflmeans operable-to lift the seatinto a position of alinement with the horizontal back. A 8. In aconvertible bed, an L-frame comprismember, a mattress 'frame comprisinga back section and a seatsection hinged together with freedom ofmovement between chair and bed 7 positions, and means for stipportingthe mattress frame substantially in ohair position forwardly of and withits hinge spaced from the head member substantially by the length of theV back section, comprising a'le'g carried by-the-seat and supporting thefront of the seat section, a leg supporting the rear ofthe seat andresting on the horizontal member and supporting me'ans for l the backsection positioned forwardly of thehead member,- the latter means beingoperable to guide the mattress in chair position toward the head gularand alined positions, a front leg supportin-gtheiront edge of theiseatsection, .a'rear leg resting on the horizontal member and supportinganjinterrnecliate section of the'mattress frame, means carried bythe'horizontal member for supporting the back section in upwardlyinclined position, and means carried by the seat operable for bodilylifting the seat to raised horizontal position directly above the formerposition including means for supporting the seat in said raisedposition, the back-supporting means being operable to wing the back intoa position of'horg V 7 2,328,196 ing a horizontal member and a verticalhead izontal aline'ment with the seatwhen the latter is raised. 7

10. In a convertible bed, a main frame having a horizontal member, amattress frame comprising a seat section and a backsection hinged tovgether with freedom of movement between angular and aiined positions, afront leg supporting the front edge of the seat, a rear leg shorter thanthe front legsupporting' the rear edge of the seat and having support onthe horizontal member, the two legs supporting the seat in rearwardlydeclining position, a pair of links carried by the horizontal 'memberand supporting the back in inclined position with freedom of rockingmovement; and means carried by the seat operable for bodily lifting theseat to raised horizontalposition directly above its former posi tionincluding means for supporting the seat in said raised position, theback-supporting means being operable to aline the back and'the seat whenthe latter is raised. v

ll.- In a convertible bed, a mattress frame comprising a seat sectionand a back section hinged together with freedom of movement betweenchairand :bed positions, means'for supporting-the mattress in bed positioncomprising a leg supportng the front of the seat, a leg supporting therear of the seat and lockable means for supportingthe back-section,means for collapsing the two legs whereby the seat is lowered and theback section is rocked intoinclined position, and meanfor stopping thedownward movement of the'seat when the mattress reaches a loungeposition. a q

- J QSEPH D. BELL.

